King Joffrey of ‘Game of Thrones’ Likes Snow Cones

Last night’s HBO “Game of Thrones” world premiere brought a touch of reality to the epic fantasy series by George R.R. Martin at the American Museum of Natural History.

Jack Gleeson, who plays the evil King Joffrey, strolled by in a trim gray suit carrying a snow cone (a blue-raspberry flavor called the “White Walker”). The Stark siblings–played by Maisie Williams, Sophie Turner and Isaac Hempstead Wright–paused to admire the ice bar, a stand made of actual ice with intricate carvings. While Martin himself paused to hug author and “Daily Show” humorist John Hodgman.

“Thrones” costume displays–including Jon Snow’s furry ensemble to the formal outfits of King’s Landing–blended in with the museum’s dioramas, while fans lined up for portraits on the Iron Throne. They also queued for photos with stars Emilia Clarke, Peter Dinklage and Martin between tables adorned with ornaments like silver antlers (representing the stag sigil for House Baratheon) and chained-armor centerpieces. The entire party was held underneath the museum’s 94-feet-long, fiberglass model of a blue whale, lit with projections of flames–representing part of series’ theme of ice and fire.

“All I want is a photo with Joffrey,” said one partygoer.

The ‘Game of Thrones’ snow cone bar, sculpted out of ice.

Barbara Chai

Those looking for a more immersive experience took a 90-second heart-pumping trip to Castle Black via the Oculus Rift, a virtual-reality headset. “The future is here,” said a representative manning the Relevent-produced exhibit; the company worked with visual-effects company Framestore for the “Thrones”-specific experience.

Martin, showrunners David Benioff and D.B. Weiss and actress Sibel Kekilli, who plays Shae, each entered one of the booths, designed to look like a winch elevator on the Wall.

Users signed a disclaimer on iPads, affirming that they were neither pregnant nor prone to seizures. Representatives also cautioned people who were afraid of heights. One woman held tight to the cage bars and screamed repeatedly.